Absurd WiFi connection issues on Steam Deck OLED 1TB LE

[DoomTheRobot]

EDIT 7/9/2024: A new developer option in the 3.6 Beta (and now in the latest stable) seems to have fixed my connectivity issues. I can now connect to my Nighthawk RAX35. Here's the process if you want to give it a try:

1. Update your Steam Deck to the latest version
   
2. Enable Developer Mode in System tab
   
3. Go to new Developer settings tab at the bottom
   
4. Enable "Force WPA Supplicant WiFi backend" option
   
5. Reboot

This is what worked for me.

EDIT 5/4/2024: I should've done this way earlier but here is a list of routers that seem to be having issues:

• NETGEAR Nighthawk RAX35 (v1.0.5.104_1.0.1)
  
• NETGEAR Nighthawk RAX30 (v1.0.10.94)
  
• ASUS RT-AX86U Pro
  
• ASUS RT-AX88U
  
• ASUS Rapture GT-AX6000
  
• TP-Link Deco M4
  
• TP-Link AX50
  
• TP-Link AX6000
  
• Telekom's "Speedport Pro Plus"
  
• Sagemcom CS50001

If you're still having issues even after updating to the latest stable, post your router info and firmware version here so I can include it in this list.

EDIT 3/30/2024: If you are still having connection issues, try finding a way to update to 3.5.17 stable, as it contains various WiFi fixes which may fix the problems you could be facing. If not, head over to this GitHub issue[github.com] and leave a comment about the issue you're having.

Just got mine yesterday and have been having off-and-on issues with WiFi connectivity that never happened at all with my previous Steam Deck LCD 512GB model. This is not an issue with my connection as none of this has ever happened over the two or so years of using my original Steam Deck.

During the initial setup process, it refused to connect to my WPA2 secured WiFi network with nothing other than "Failed to connect" when attempting to connect to it. I'd enter my password and it'd sit for a while until it eventually fails. Despite this, I connected to my mobile hotspot perfectly fine to finish the setup process.

Here's what I've done so far:

• Rebooted the Router (obviously)
  
• Re-imaged SteamOS
  
• Disabled WiFi Power Saving
  
• Tried switching between 2.4GHz and 5GHz connections

I even went into Desktop mode and tried messing with the settings there. No luck.

For whatever reason though, and this is the confusing part: After multiple restarts it automatically connects to the WiFi network with no issues. It's almost completely random whether or not it wants to connect on boot. After connecting it works perfectly fine. No "Failed to connect", no loss of speed, works just as it did like the previous Steam Deck.

But once I eventually shutdown, it just happens again until I restart the system multiple times until it works again. Absolutely no clue why. I didn't mind it at first as I assumed it was just a software bug that would eventually go away, but now it's becoming extremely frustrating.

So what's the deal here? Is this a hardware issue or is my network just messed up somewhere? Where do I even start?

[Shibby]

Автор сообщения: ☜☆mkmiaz8☆☞

i just cant its one year since this problem over 600 coments and people still cant use wifi to use this cursed device XD

I was in the middle of downloading updates a bit ago and then suddenly WIFI just stopped working. So yeah this issue still persists. I bet if this was Asus there would be a million articles about it with in depth analysis from all the YouTubers but instead we hear crickets from them.

[Nif]

Holy... I was having troubles with keeping the connection stable on my SD while using Moonlight and Sunshine to stream from my PC but apparently I'm not alone...

[Skroez]

I wondered what the Firmware update was the other week, I don't understand when people say they have issues with the TP-Link AX3000 AX55 modem, But then I am, using mine in conjunction with a Sky modem, It is brilliant to be honest, I even tried the Wireless on Virtual Desktop with my Quest 3, Fantastic VR for the price I paid, I will say on Amazon, They do refurbished Quest 3 in amazing condition, Actually looked properly brand new, Not a blemish, I am even sure I seen a ray of light come from the box as I opened it, lol, Hey I wonder if people can do that, Make a ray of light appear when you open a new PC part, lol, I want a Tecno Go now, lol, But yeah the refurbished Quest 3 on Amazon is pretty bad ass for the prices, I paid 360 pounds for what looks like a Brand New Quest 3, So if anyone is in the same position and isn't rich, There is no way I would be able to afford a brand new Q3 and coz I have a Quest 2, It was a no brainer getting the Refurbished Quest 3, I am glad I did now, Coz I still gets the same warranted, And when something do go wrong they usually send out a brand new item, But touching my head I don't want my Quest 3 to go funky on me, lol, I use the VR for AMS 2 and Sim Racing, The Q3 knocks spots off the Q2 by the way..
But yeah I don't get connection issues with my TP-Link AX3000 I even got a TP-Link AC2100 as a back up if the AX3000 goes funky lol, I just hope the AC2100 isn't better than the AX3000 lol, TP-Link is Quality modems in my eyes, Beats the normal ISP providers, I even said to Sky they should link up with TP-Link and create Modems that are ISP modems but TP-Link, lol....
I have my Modem right in front of me mind, Maybe people get isssues when they is on the edge of the wifi distance, My CCTV cameras look 4K since I put the AX3000 in, My CCTV pictures is qaulity....
So what was in the latest firmware update all together save me looking up, lol...
But yeah TP-Link AX3000 AX55 is a fantastic modem for me.....

[Naich]

Enabling the "Force WPA Supplicant WiFi backend" option worked for me, I tried multiple things before but this was the solution for me, thanks

[shell0081]

The problem is resolved by itself and i am loving my steam deck right now!

[TheFourEyedKid]

I just received a 1TB OLED and I'm still having all these issues. I've tried ever trick I could find, the only thing my Steam Deck will access internet on is hotspot from an iPhone. Even have a dock with an Ethernet cable, it still refuses to connect to the internet.

[Dragon Protector]

Автор сообщения: TheFourEyedKid

I just received a 1TB OLED and I'm still having all these issues. I've tried ever trick I could find, the only thing my Steam Deck will access internet on is hotspot from an iPhone. Even have a dock with an Ethernet cable, it still refuses to connect to the internet.

contact valve

[☜☆Oblivion☆☞]

Автор сообщения: Dragon Protector

Автор сообщения: TheFourEyedKid

I just received a 1TB OLED and I'm still having all these issues. I've tried ever trick I could find, the only thing my Steam Deck will access internet on is hotspot from an iPhone. Even have a dock with an Ethernet cable, it still refuses to connect to the internet.

contact valve

yea sure they gona do something after one year with same issue

[nice bnuuy]

Here's a long awaited update, when I switched to Verizon and was given their awful router/modem whatever the heck combo, I still encountered the same slow download speeds issue. I can confirm that going to Developer settings and enabling Force WPA Supplicant WiFi backend fixed that for me. I have now switched to using a router that isn't from my ISP, and my download speeds have been much better using that, even without WPA Supplicant enabled.

Lesson of the day, if you are using your ISP's router/modem, just don't.

[TheCrazyCanuck]

Автор сообщения: nice bnuuy

Here's a long awaited update, when I switched to Verizon and was given their awful router/modem whatever the heck combo, I still encountered the same slow download speeds issue. I can confirm that going to Developer settings and enabling Force WPA Supplicant WiFi backend fixed that for me. I have now switched to using a router that isn't from my ISP, and my download speeds have been much better using that, even without WPA Supplicant enabled.

Lesson of the day, if you are using your ISP's router/modem, just don't.

I agree in general and not just in this case. Ask your ISP if you can be switched to gateway only mode (no router) so that you can connect your own (better) router. Normally your ISP can do this automatically from their end and after you'll be limited to a single LAN connection which connects to the WAN port of your own router. Make sure they can do this otherwise you'll end up double NAT'ed (word?) and port forwarding and other services difficult to deal with. I have had good luck with the original and OLED SE steamdecks on Ubiquiti on WIFI6/802.11 AX access points or through a MS surface docking station LAN which I think is a realtek 2.5Gbps chipset.

[Sectick]

Then you have me. Netgear Nighthawk to start upgraded into TP Link setup and still having same issues. Glad a new router is working for some of you but I was never able to keep a stable connection while remote streaming.

[Mahjik]

Автор сообщения: Sectick

Then you have me. Netgear Nighthawk to start upgraded into TP Link setup and still having same issues. Glad a new router is working for some of you but I was never able to keep a stable connection while remote streaming.

I've been using the Asus Zen XT12 mesh system for a while:

https://www.asus.com/us/networking-iot-servers/whole-home-mesh-wifi-system/zenwifi-wifi-systems/asus-zenwifi-pro-xt12/

It's been great with zero issues with my LCD or OLED while using Remote Play/Streaming. I play Madden via streaming (since it doesn't work on SteamOS) and never have any issues.

[Duff]

I have a Speedport Plus Pro and can confirm a solution to work, that someone posted earlier.
I changed my transmission mode on the router settings for the 5GHz frequency band from 802.11n/ac/ax to 802.11n/ac.

I guess 802.11 ax is causing the trouble as that has something to do with the WiFi 6 protocol

[Snickers5171]

Thank you so much I spent 10 hours pulling my hair out trying to figure out the issue I'm gonna cry happiness

[Shtinky]

Unfortunately the “wpa supplicant” fix didn’t resolve this for me. I’ve tried 3 routers. The most recent router I’m using the Google nest WiFi pro.

It shows I have 70-80 percent connection while it is inches from the router.

Sometimes it drops to the 40-50s then game streaming is unplayable